DETECTIVES are 'hopeful' forensic tests will help solve the suspicious death of Blacon man Stephen Prudhoe.

Mr Prudhoe died of a heart attack at his home in Blacon Point Road, Blacon, - after death someone had removed his genitals with a sharp instrument.

Dozens of items have been taken from the house to undergo forensic examination. So far all traces of DNA have been linked to people who had a legitimate reason for being in the house.

However, Detective Inspector Mark Tasker, while circumspect, says he has reason to believe tests on other items will prove fruitful.

'We are hopeful material still being examined can provide the answer,' he said.

Irrelevant DNA traces in the house have been eliminated thanks to the cooperation of friends and neighbours in volunteering their DNA which involves a simple mouth swab.

The detective continued: 'The amount of stuff an inquiry like this generates is massive. It takes time to go through. We do have breakthroughs, mini breakthroughs, all the time. Stuff comes back from the lab on an almost daily basis.'

DI Tasker is the third senior detective to be involved with the inquiry, partly due to officers changing positions, leading to criticism about how the case is being handled.

He said a detective inspector involved from day one continued to overview the inquiry and there were still 12 staff dedicated to solving the crime.

DI Tasker and his team believe the key to unlocking the puzzle can be found here in Chester.

'I am convinced and the team is convinced the answer is in the Blacon area. All the lines of inquiry at the moment and all the information we are getting is focused on the Blacon and Chester area,' he said.

The incident is being treated as a possible murder because Mr Prudhoe's heart attack may have been brought on by terrifying circumstances.

Worryingly, a psychologist has concluded the culprit could strike again.

Yet DI Tasker reckons there are still people who had not come forward with relevant information about Mr Prudhoe's past or lifestyle which may shed light on who could have carried out such a terrible crime. Unusually, the criminal fraternity has not been able to provide any names of suspects.

DI Tasker is perplexed: 'The feedback we are getting from people in the Blacon area is that he was a very likeable character. Everyone is surprised.'

He said if and when lines of inquiry in Chester were exhausted then the team would consider making a broader appeal through Granada's Crime-file or even the BBC's Crime-watch.

DI Tasker's nightmare is that the mutilation was carried out by a stranger with no established links to the victim.

'The worst case scenario is that it's random. But most murders are committed by people who have known them or are known acquaintances,' he said.

The detective remains 'hopeful rather than confident' this most mysterious of crimes can be solved.

A 21-year-old male, arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mr Prudhoe was told he did not need to return to the police station at the end of last month but he has not been completely eliminated from the inquiry.

Anyone with information can contact officers at the incident room on 01244 615522. Alternatively, information can be left in confidence on the Crimestoppers hotline 0800 555 111.

Stephen Prudhoe had lived at his home address for about seven years. A single man, he lived alone, except for his dog Milo, whom he would walk several times a day making him highly visible in the close-knit community.

The victim also drank and smoked and would daily visit the Spar shop in Western Avenue to purchase alcohol.

His body was discovered on Wednesday, March 10, after a worried neighbour checked on Mr Prudhoe.

He was last been seen alive at 11.30am the day before at his house.

A post-mortem examination found Stephen Prudhoe had not been well. He had pneumonia, and a heart attack had contributed to his death.

However, the Home Office pathologist also concluded Stephen's body had been mutilated as it lay on the floor of his home after he died.

Police believe this was done at the victim's home where his body was found, but cannot confirm that this was where he died.

Speculation that Stephen's dog Milo, who was found in the house with his dead master, was responsible for the mutilation have been firmly disproved.